Officials warn of flooding on Kennebec River after rain, snowmelt

Augusta police and public works crews block off Front Street on Feb. 17, 2016, in Augusta because of Kennebec River flooding. Staff file photo by Keith Edwards

AUGUSTA — Emergency management officials are warning that the Kennebec River could come over its banks as snow melts and up to 2 inches of rain falls on Friday and Saturday.

“Will the Kennebec River come up? Yes,” said Sean Goodwin, Kennebec County’s emergency management director, in an emailed announcement to the area’s first responders. “Will the river come over the banks? Most likely not, but keep in mind … with all the melting, we could have an ice jam anywhere on the river. We have had ice jams before, sometimes with no problems, other times with big problems.”

According to the flood announcement, the “very warm temperatures” would lead “to considerable snowmelt and runoff. The combination of these two factors will lead to river rises and potential for ice jams. Any ice jams could produce rapid rises in river levels.”

By midday Saturday, the rain that has fallen should turn to ice, Goodwin added.

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